Letters to the editor for Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013

Published: Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 1, 2013 at 6:40 p.m.

I have lived in Daytona Beach since 1952. At one time there was a city of Daytona — not any more. So drop the name Daytona in advertisement of this city. It's Daytona Beach.

Start with the beach first, and offer tourists all the other attractions this area has to offer.

Bring back Spring Break, put back the seats in the Bandshell for free concerts and extend the Boardwalk from Auditorium Boulevard along Ocean Avenue to Fifth Avenue.

Extend Biketoberfest to 10 days. Try ocean fishing tournaments. Have a southern summer state week for each southern state with free access to the beach for people from that state.

Think big! Use some of the vacant lots along State Road A1A for parking at a reasonable rate.

These are only a few of the things that could be done at very little cost to the city. How about putting back parking on Main Street, or making Seabreeze Boulevard two-way again. What about the underused Halifax River? Think!

Cut all ties with the Volusia County tourism advertising authorities. Use the tax money for us. They spent $100,000 on a study that told us what we already know.

BOB AMBROSE

Daytona Beach

Homeless are part of the public

In regard to your article on the closing of Riverside Park bathrooms due to use by homeless: It was stated it was the second time Holly Hill officials have had to close a restroom facility over "misuse."

Why misuse? It is a public bathroom; the homeless are the public. Are there any public baths set up for the homeless? Everyone needs to go to the bathroom, and everyone needs to clean themselves.

Let's be kind to those without homes to bathe in, not make things even harder by closing essential services off to them.

KATHY MITO

Daytona Beach

A cold calculation

The News-Journal's report about closings of public restrooms in a Holly Hill park to save soap that the homeless might use makes that city look exceedingly cynical.

When the homeless can be ticketed for public defecation or public sleeping, the cities of this area should at least support alternate venues. No one should be forced to follow laws that do not acknowledge the facts of our common humanity.

Such a Catch-22 seems much more imposing on the homeless when compared to the burden that putting up a bit more cash for soap would place on the city of Holly Hill.

I wonder when the citizens of this area last listened to "what you have done to these the least of my brothers, you have done to me" (Matthew 25:40).

REINHOLD SCHLIEPER

Palm Coast

Don't hate on New Jersey

Now you've done it. I can put up with all those conservative talking points and misguided conclusions — but mocking my beloved New Jersey is a new low. OK, so you are correct in many ways. Yes, the taxes are way too high; that's one of the reasons we moved to this bit of paradise.

It's crowded, dirty in spots, congested and all that — but it's New Jersey, the crossroads of the Revolution. What do you expect? It's a tough state in which to live.

On the other hand, New Jersey ranks in the top three in family and per capita income, even considering pockets of poverty. Three of the 10 richest counties in the country are in New Jersey. New Jersey is in the top 10 best educated states. That's why companies that need skilled, educated workers, and companies that pay accordingly, thrive in New Jersey.

Maybe one reason so many young folks from New Jersey are accepted into college — many to prestigious universities and elite colleges — is due to the level of instruction. Maybe smaller class sizes and more teachers work.

Maybe with more investment in education and infrastructure Florida, my new and beautiful state, could attract those high-paying jobs too.

Bottom line, New Jersey needs to regionalize services.

The state has way too many municipalities within short distances of each other with their own police forces, fire departments, schools and support staffs. New Jersey needs to repair crumbling roads and bridges and continue to address poverty and neglect.

By the way, New Jersey is the biggest producer of eggplant in the world. New Jersey has more horses then Kentucky and is one-third forest.

Restore the Shore!

JOHN MORENO

Palm Coast

Who gets health care?

I am writing in regard to the penalties in Obamacare for smokers.

Although I am not a proponent of smoking, I know how harmful it can be and I had more than one relative die from the effects of smoking. But I do have a problem with Obamacare discriminating against people, when the health act decides who will receive health care and who will not. And this is exactly what this about.

To be fair, you must go after obese people, alcoholics, drug abusers and people who do not wear helmets when they ride their motorcycles. In general, to be fair, you have to go after anyone who is not a perfect health specimen.

This is what people were warned of when talking about the "death panels." They feared the people who will decide who will be worthy of receiving health care. (And they won't be doctors.)

Like smokers, lots of other people will also eventually be priced out of health insurance, because they will not fit into the panels' criteria. What a sad country we have become.

And Barack Obama proclaimed "everyone will be able to get health care." And by the way, we have a government who for years subsidized tobacco farmers in the tune of millions if not billions of dollars. Such hypocrites.

BELINDA LOBODA

DeLand

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